“It’s just October!” Pep adds during UCL preview
By Hidayah Ali
Manchester City are all set to meet their third opponent of this season’s Champions League group stage, Young Boys, and will attempt to earn their third win of the group stage, which would give them nine points on the board.
After facing three losses on the bounce against English opposition, City finally got back to their winning ways on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Brighton & Albion Hove.
Going into matchday three, City have won both of their games against Red Star and Leipzig, with the exact scoreline of 3-1. Getting a victory over Young Boys would surely put them in a prime spot to get an early qualification for the next round.
During the pre-game press conference, manager Pep Guardiola and Manuel Akanji shared their thoughts on the season thus far and what they expect from tonight’s game,
“We compete really well in all the games, honestly. Otherwise, we would not be close to Spurs right now in the Premier League and have six points here in the Champions League.”
Tottenham are currently the leaders of the Premier League, and Pep understands exactly why they have been so successful thus far, “When you start the season after a poor season with no European qualification, you come into it giving everything.”
Pep then moved to praise his players’ mentalities, saying, “The mentality of our players, we would not be in the position we are in the PL and here, if we did not have the right mentality to compete.
Winning the Champions League was nice, and we enjoy the moment, traveling the world and showing the Champions League, but now we try to achieve in the next round, knowing how difficult this is.
We have to try to go through and perform as best as we can to keep this competition.”
Pep also added, “It’s just October, so let’s be calm!” Probably a statement which generated from the criticism of the losses City have gone through in the last few weeks, just gently reminding all how early into the season we are.
Manuel Akanji joined Guardiola for conference and shared his view on how the season has played out so far, “Unfortunately, we can’t win the Carabao Cup, but all the other competitions, I hope we can fight for them and lift some more trophies this year.
I think we’ve started really well. We didn’t win the Community Shield, but after that we went on a winning streak. Losing three games in England wasn’t good for us, but it’s good to show a reaction and to win the game at the weekend, which wasn’t easy.”
Akanji expressed that he believes Young Boys won’t be scared of City and will try to be brave and play their football. But, City will focus on themselves and the three points.
Manchester City will meet Young Boys at 20:00 (UK) today. Make sure to tune in and see if Man City can get themselves that all-important win.
Predicted Line-up
Ederson
Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol
Rodri, Bernardo
Doku, Alvarez, Foden
Haaland
Score prediction
Young Boys 1-4 Man City